Harry Redknapp is interested in returning to management with Middlesbrough should Steve Agnew's spell in charge prove unsuccessful.
The former Tottenham boss has not worked in the Premier League since leaving Queens Park Rangers in 2015 but is said to feel confident his experience would help keep Boro up.
Owner Steve Gibson wants Agnew, Aitor Karanka's assistant, to continue until the end of the season and has appointed Joe Jordan as No 2. Intriguingly, that is a role he performed under Redknapp at QPR, Tottenham, and Portsmouth.
Agnew will, though, strengthen his hand by gaining a positive reaction from his players following Karanka's dismissal for the visit of Manchester United.